Norwood runner says Heartbreak Hill "doesn't get smaller"

Tuesday

Apr 11, 2017 at 2:07 PMApr 12, 2017 at 10:03 AM

Max Bowen mbowen@wickedlocal.com

The beginning of Thomas Ahearn’s 21-year stint in the Boston Marathon began about 3,600 miles away from Beantown.

The Norwood resident was on a tour of Europe when he met a man named Keith from Newton. Keith had spotted Ahearn’s Red Sox hat and the two became quick friends. It was then that Keith talked about the marathons he had run in and suggested that Ahearn try it out.

"I was always a runner in junior and high school," said Ahearn.

Though it was meant to be just a one-time thing, Ahearn said he soon found himself hooked and returned to the 26.2-mile course year after year. At 53, his training is done on the weekend, and he doesn’t cross-train like he used to. But don’t take that to mean he isn’t up to the challenge.

"I try to be smart and not get injured," he said. "Some aches and pains, but it never stopped me from running."

In fact, Ahearn has completed the marathon course each time, with the exception of 2013. That year, bombs were planted near the finish line, and Ahearn was stopped in Boylston. He didn’t hesitate to return the following year, however.

When it comes to the infamous Heartbreak Hill, an ascent over .4 miles between the 20 and 21-mile marks, near Boston College. Ahearn said the hill "doesn’t get any smaller," and over the years has learned the best way to deal with it is to not look up.

"A lot of it is mental," he said. "If you look up, you’re going to psyche yourself out."

Ahearn’s running with the Dana-Farber Marathon Team, which he’s been a part of since the beginning. Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge runners include cancer survivors and patients, and family and friends of those who have been affected by cancer. Ahearn’s father passed away from cancer in 1980 At the age of 54.

A cornerstone of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge is its Partner Program. Each year, approximately 50 current and former pediatric cancer patients of Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic are paired with DFMC runners as "Patient Partners." Another two dozen Patient Partner Program families are paired with runners through the "In-Memory Program" in remembrance of their children’s brave struggle with the disease. Ahearn’s been part of the In-Memory Program for the past decade, running for a young boy who passed away from cancer.

"It’s a great cause and so many people are affected by cancer," he said.

Fundraising is a requirement for any team member, and over the last two decades Ahearn estimates he’s brought in more than $100,000 for Dana-Farber. He sends out letters to friends, family, and co-workers, but most have come to expect the missives, and even ask ahead of time if he’s running. Ahearn recalled on donor, who he hasn’t seen in years. She e-mails him each year to ask if he’s running, then makes a donation.